The Vordalyn 2

by Michael T Payne

  “The last time I was here it was a bit livelier?” Fowlin asked stepping down the front steps to the lowered tavern floor.

  “It’s early yet,” She said walking around to the front of the bar, just near the bartender, “Have a drink.” She dusted off a seat at the bar and motioned the men over. Fowlin looked at his cohorts, then made his way over and sat at the bar. “I remember you had a drink called, The Dragons….” He started, trying to recall the name.

  “The Dragons Dusty Balls.” She said flatly and nodded to the bartender, who reached behind him, grabbing a bottle, then pulled the cork out with his teeth. He set the bottle down in front of Fowlin.

  “You will never taste anything like this in Ganlin, Polick. The wine, the liquor is divine… and powerful.” Fowlin said sliding the bottle over to the seat Polick stood behind, having not decided to sit down yet. Polick began to sit as Sevum helped himself to the bottle. Polick snatched the bottle away from Sevum, just before his lips touched it.

  “Hey, scout! Those who wield the sword drink first, bush tracker.” Fowlin and Tursil laughed.

  “Watch yourself recruit, Polick doesn’t share.” Tursil chuckled. Sevum looked at the bartender and nodded for a drink of his own.

  “The same?” The bartender asked him.

  “What do your regulars drink?” Sevum asked. The bartender grabbed a mug and dipped it in a barrel, then put it down roughly in front of Sevum, who smiled, eagerly snatching it up.

  “That’ll be…” The bartender started, then squinted, thinking what price he could squeeze from the newcomers, “Six copper, for the lot?” Sevum tossed the coins on the bar. Normally, Sevum would never pay full price for a drink, he would haggle until the bartender relented. In this case, however, being in the company of soldiers, he knew they cared more for drink than money. Often wasting every coin to that end, carelessly. Sevum turned to face the tavern and observe its patrons. He spotted a man almost immediately. A man like him. It was not hard for Sevum to spot another thief. They were alike. The woman left the bar area, taking orders from the patrons at the tables and the one booth. The patrons no longer stared at the new comers and returned to enjoying their own tavern experience. Fowlin, Tursil and Polick became wrapped up in their comradery and lost track of Sevum, completely forgetting about him after a few drinks and the arrival of a few women. Sevum moved from the bar to a spot one table away from the other thief. He watched the thief covertly as the thief watched the soldiers of Ganlin. He knew the man was looking for an opportunity to rob one of them. When the tavern filled, becoming loud and raucous Sevum moved to the man’s table just as he was about to make his way through the crowd to rob some of the more inebriated patrons. The thief sat back in his seat surprised by Sevum. He gave the thief a nod, more of a tilt of the head really, a tilt that said ‘I know what you are.’

  “What do you want?” He asked recognizing Sevum for what he was, “This is my tavern. I work alone.” Sevum leaned forward and spoke quietly.

  “Information, my friend, for coin?” Sevum asked. The thief leaned on the table, closer to Sevum, to hear him out.

  Fowlin, Polick, and Tursil, drank at the bar and were talking to two young women. They were dressed very well, almost too well for a tavern such as the Desert Dragon. They were intrigued with the men from Ganlin and asked many questions about Dracon and their homeland. Patrons gathered around the three soldiers with questions of their own, after overhearing who they were. They were famous. Drinks were bought, food was served, and the men were delighted they were being so appreciated. A man from across the bar settled the crowd and got everyone’s attention. He was dressed in a soldier’s uniform. Everyone seemed to recognize him and the men he was with, quickly quieting. Fowlin took note of the effect the man had on the patrons of the bar.

  “A toast,” The man said holding up his drink, “A toast to our friends from across the expanse of death!” few patrons echoed his cheer, they seemed afraid of the man and his group. Tension filled the room as Fowlin, Polick and Tursil leaned against the bar, no longer seated. Their seats had disappeared hours earlier in favor of standing at the bar.

  “What is the expanse of death?” Tursil asked Fowlin in a whisper.

  “It’s what they call the outer region.” Fowlin answered not taking his eyes off the men across the tavern from him.

  The man, clearly a soldier, finished his drink entirely. The men behind him did not drink, they just sat staring at the three men at the bar. One man in the group furthest behind them, was a monster of a man. The scowl on his face was clearly brought on by hate, reflecting a rage that shown as obvious as the scars and still healing wounds upon his face. Fowlin could see the man had no teeth left in his mouth by the way his lips sunk in to his face. The man’s name was Gareth. He was tasked by Factor Wynkian to test Dracon in hand to hand combat and lost all his teeth in a brutal display of Dracon’s skills. Polick nudged Fowlin, who nodded without looking at him. “All the way from across the expanse of death!” The man said again and took a few steps toward them then stopped. He held up his cup to them in a toast and asked, “And what brings the mighty men of Ganlin back to Qinkas? We thought you had left and returned to your home?”

  “Your name sir?” Tursil asked, “Before I have a conversation with a man, it’s polite to introduce ourselves, where we are from that is.”

  “I am Samuel, we serve factor Wynkian, currently stationed at Ulk, on the shores of Cold Lake.” The man introduced himself and walked to the bar next to Fowlin. He set his cup on the bar and nodded at the bartender, who quickly filled it.

  “That is a good travel north, isn’t it?” Fowlin asked facing the man.

  “It is.” He said still eyeing the bartender.

  “The same Cold Lake liberated by King Dracon and Queen Venalina?” Fowlin asked. The large man, Gareth, who sat with the other soldiers, spit in disgust at the mention of King Dracon and Queen Venalina.

  “You best mind yourself, toothless, we won’t take to no disrespecting of our king.” Polick yelled across the bar at Gareth.

  “Your king lays with a filthy kina, no better than laying with a dog!” Samuel remarked. Fowlin, Tursil and Polick stood away from the bar ready to fight. Fowlin started toward the man with bad intentions.

  “Hold yourself still!” The waitress stepped between Fowlin and Samuel, who had started back a cross the bar to stand with his men. She repositioned herself between the two groups, “You don’t want to tangle with that bunch,” she said quietly, trying to diffuse the situation, “Have another drink on the house, let tempers settle. I don’t know how it is where you are from, but you won’t do us any favors if you have a go round with them in here, sir. Please, another drink?” She asked pleading with them. Fowlin’s jaw was clenched very tightly, he could hear Satana’s words, “Be polite and remember you represent the King of Ganlin, act accordingly.” Fowlin turned to the bar and urged the others to do the same.

  “Just as I thought, not a pair of balls between them.” Samuel said to his men who responded with a hearty laugh. Samuel spotted the two women who were talking with Fowlin and his men before they were interrupted. He nodded at his men to look at the women, then walked over. They were sitting with a man. Samuel walked over to the table, “Which one belongs to you?” The man at the table looked around nervously, then nodded to his wife. Samuel reached into his pocket then dropped a few coins on the table. “She’ll be home tomorrow, come on girls, you’re paid for,” He said to the married woman, “But you’re free for the taking, aintcha.” He said to the other woman. The woman looked at her husband for help, but he just looked down at the table. The waitress stepped over to Fowlin whose face began to change.

  “You don’t understand our ways, it’s best you not get involved.” She said. A few other men joined Samuel at the table, pawing at the women and pulling them up from their seats. They began to walk the women to the door like they were herding sheep.

  “That’s right Sheila,” Samuel said trailing his men t
oward the door, “Take off your apron when you’re done, you’ll be coming along too.” The waitress started to remove her apron.

  “Fack this!” Polick said and threw his mug across the room hitting Gareth in the back of the head, “Come back here, ya ugly ogre, we’ll be having words with each of you!” he said and stepped out away from the bar.

  “You should be walking away now, my lady.” Fowlin smiled at her.

  “Come get your fill of the first!” Tursil said lifting his hands up in a fighting stance. A few of the soldiers pulled out their swords. Gareth stepped in front of them and took off his sword belt then let it drop to the floor. The men with him looked at each other, then did the same. The women seized the opportunity and fled the bar. The other patrons moved to the side of the bar away from Fowlin. They began ordering drinks and placing wagers with the bartender.

  “Right, then.” Samuel said, “You three, against three of us.” He looked at the bartender. Who shrugged back at him, “Come on now, even money?” He asked the bartender.

  “No, odds favor them. We all heard about that Dracon fella, and what he did to him.” The bartender nodded at Gareth whose face turned red with rage. The bartender quickly hid from the monstrous man’s angry stare, stepping out of view behind Polick.

  “We gonna talk all night or does the fairy princess wanna dance?” Polick asked Gareth.

  Chapter Eight

  Prince Charnio left his brothers palace in Dwerma and returned home to Eastmount. He left behind Alkwin, his second in command, to prepare for the rest of their forces to arrive and take a knee before Dracon at his wedding. Prince Charnio wasn’t going to wait until the coronation to honor him and intended to send a message to Queen Menina with his support of Dracon by sending his forces to him immediately. Alkwin wandered the grounds of the palace freely. Every soldier in Dwerma knew him and Prince Charnio, for it was they who watched over Dwerma and the people who lived within its borders after Queen Menina exiled the humans from Urixis. Alkwin had difficulty sleeping, with all that had happened and the soon to be king, Dracon’s chaotic return. He found himself at odds with his Prince, internally. Queen Menina appeared very rational to Alkwin when they spoke. If not for the amulet that enslaved his Prince Charnio, Alkwin might have spoken in her defense. That one aggressive move against his prince, and the other princes, was a turning point there would be no coming back from. Alkwin felt embarrassment for his part in killing elves, their countrymen. At the time, he felt he was acting in his lord’s best interest, even in King Dracon’s best interest. He was so sure of himself, Queen Menina was the enemy, the people had to be protected from her. But what did she really do? Under her rule, all Ganlin flourished in King Dracon’s absence. It was she who maintained the peace, she who made it possible for Ganlin to enjoy the peace the people fought for so long to achieve. It was Alkwin and Prince Charnio, who stood against her and they who drew first blood. Dracon had returned, and he was less than pleased with Prince Charnio’s actions, angry in fact.

  “You’re out late.” Velen said coming upon Alkwin walking the inner wall, “Looking for assassins?” He asked.

  “No,” He chuckled, “Sleep eludes me this evening. I thought a walk might burn out the bugs.” Velen nodded and walked with Alkwin as he strolled along the inner walls. They could see men patrolling the walkways atop the walls with torches in hand.

  “My wife tells me if not for you, she a many of our people would have died.” Velen said, “I owe you my thanks.”

  “I only did what I thought was right, as would you.” Alkwin replied, “You did more than just feed people, you gave them peace, you gave them new heroes.” Velen smiled.

  “This queen of lord Dracon’s, is she royal blood, is she a princess from the lands you discovered?” Alkwin asked. Velen thought carefully about what to say next.

  “She is. Not of the kingdom we discovered, but of an ancient people.” Velen explained, “A people who had been at war with the Kingdom of the Ffrei who befriended us.”

  “And now?” Alkwin asked.

  “My lord brings peace wherever he goes it seems, he did so between them as well.” Velen chuckled.

  “I wish I could have…” Alkwin started but stopped himself, although he wished he could have adventured into the outer region, he did not want to make light of the hardships they endured.

  “We lost a lot of good men in the outer region.” Velen said reflectively, “Then again, when Dracon took Terrax’s head.”

  “That would have been a sight to see.” Alkwin said very proud of their victory.

  “It was. Venalina and Dracon taking on Terrax, then killing him.” Velen said, “The two of them together have faced much and have fought side by side all the way back to Dwerma.”

  “She is a warrior princess? Like Satana?” Alkwin asked. Velen laughed.

  “I would never call Satana a princess if I were you.” He said shaking his head amused, Alkwin too, smiled, “No she is no warrior, she is a wielder, like Queen Ayana.”

  “Really?” Alkwin asked surprised, then he suddenly had a flash of Venalina speaking in a strange childlike voice to Dracon that seemed to calm him. Velen nodded.

  “Well, enjoy your walk, I’ve a wife to report to.” He said then left Alkwin.

  “Well met brother.” Alkwin said.

  “Well met indeed.” Velen said in return. Alkwin continued along the wall at a slow casual pace, thinking about the adventures that Velen and the king must have encountered beyond the outer region. He saw a flash of light from just around the bend and heard a woman’s voice. He walked cautiously and wondered who it could be in the court yard that late at night. He came a upon a woman with black hair, golden sun-kissed skin, and a red gown, she was talking to herself, angry for some reason, then she broke into a laugh. At first, he thought it might be Lady Venalina, but when he came closer, he could see it was not.

  “Good evening,” He said to alert her of his presence. She squealed an ear-piercing scream, then giggled with her hand on her chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “I wasn’t startled.” Talila said defensively, then stuck her nose in the air defiantly, “If I were, my king would have run to my rescue, and you,” She pointed at him with a wicked smile, “Would have no teeth.” She spun in a circle like a little girl trying to make herself dizzy. She reminded Alkwin of a fairy. She only lacked the wings but was floating in spirit. Alkwin smiled to see her so full of energy and obviously in a playful mood.

  “Your king?” Alkwin asked as he walked closer to her. Talila stopped spinning and skipped over to a bench, near some bushes on a walkway that circled the area. There was a fountain in the center of the area and the grounds were a well-manicured lawn. Alkwin could see she was barefoot, and her gown was one meant for bed, not prancing about in the palace park late at night. She sat smiling at him with her hand holding on to the charm of her necklace. He walked over to the walkway then started toward her.

  “Best mind your manners, sir, I am a wife of a king, and you’d do well to keep your distance.” She spoke like a child playing a game of make believe. Alkwin knew she was not the lady Venalina, queen to be, but she was incredibly beautiful. Alkwin couldn’t take her threats seriously at all. He was drawn in to indulging the young beauty and play along with her game. She seemed a bit young of mind to him, the way she spoke, the way she frolicked in the park. He could see she was the age of womanhood, but there was something so childlike about her, carefree.

  “You are the wife of a king?” He asked in disbelief, taunting her to explain herself, as he came within a few feet of her.

  “I am.” She said, her eyes widened, and she nodded with the widest of smiles, “Isn’t it polite to curtsy in the presence of a royal lady?” Talila asked.

  “Do you mean royalty?” Alkwin asked with a smile.

  “No, I am a royal lady.” Talila answered quickly, very sure of herself.

  “Women curtsy, my lady.” Alkwin said with a chuckle.


  “What does a man do then? What’s that called?” Talila asked, her eyes were very bright, looking at her made Alkwin smile.

  “Well, to a queen, in passing, it would be a bow, until you left the room. But as we are face to face for the first time, I believe proper protocol in Ganlin, would require me to take a knee before her highness.” Alkwin explained, bowing his head slightly as if about to follow through with it.

  “Then you should do that one.” Talila said pointing at his knees emphatically.

  “Your majesty, I humble before your grace.” Alkwin said and took a knee right in front of her, bowing his head. He examined her feet and they looked like she had been running around in the grass for some time. Odd, he hadn’t spotted her while he was on his walk? He passed by there, twice. She giggled at him knelt before her. “Your feet are in need of a good washing, my lady.” He said. Talila lifted her feet straight out in front of her and spread her toes wide, then wiggled them.

  “Is that your role here? Feet inspector? Do you wander around, looking for a foot to clean?” Talila asked laughing, amused with herself, taunting him with her outstretched foot almost in his face.

  “Maybe,” He chuckled, then quickly snatched her leg by the ankle. She squealed out a giggle, then bit her lip, in anticipation of what he was going to do with her foot. Alkwin smiled as he stared into her green eyes. He had half a notion to start tickling her foot, like he would a child. Such playful innocence exuded from her, it made him desire her. She yanked her foot back then hopped up and ran to the fountain, looking back at him over her shoulder, as if he were chasing her. It made him chuckle and slowly stand once again. She stopped at the fountains edge turning back to face him, leaning her backside against its edge. Her face was an ear to ear smile. “You are as quick as a doe, young maiden.”